Device for lowering or raising coffins



(No Model.)

J. L. STREEVER.

DEVICE FOR LOWERING 0R RAISING GOPPIN$, 5:70.

No. 296,362. Patente A UNITED STATES PATENT UEEiQE.

JOHN L. STEEEVER, OF GRAYVILLE, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR LOWERING OR RAISING COFFINS, 81,0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,362, dated April 8, 1884,

Application filed January 26, lESJ. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN L. SrnEEvER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grayville, in the county of \Vhite and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Device for Lowering or Raising Coffins, laskets, &c., of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to devices for lowering or raising coffins, caskets, and other heavy boxes or parcels, a special object of the invention being to provide a cheap, simple, and ornamental attachment to coffins or caskets which is to be used in connection with ropes for lowering or raising the same into the grave.

With these and other objects in View the said invention consists in certain details of construction and combination of parts, as herein after set forth, and particularly pointedout in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of my improved device in operation. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a coffin, the ornamental attachment being attached to the handles. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the ornamental device. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the lowering-rope. 5 is a modification.

Like letters of reference indicate corresp on ding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a coffin of any desired form or construction,having the usual handles, B, which may be constructed in any suitable shape, and are pivoted in the ornamental device G, as shown in Fig. 2. Said device is preferably constructed of some ornamental shape, since it is intended to be attached permanently to the coffin, and it is thus desirable that the device shall not detract from the appearance of the coffin. For

this reason I construct it in ffll'lOllS shapes and designs, using no particular design, the main object being to provide an ornamental attachment to be secured to the cofin, and yet not affect the appearance of the same. When the handle is pivoted-in the attachment, I generally form and arrange it as shown in Fig. 2, and construct the attachment of the same material as the handle. However,l do not wish to be limited to any particular design or arrangement of the same, since it is obvious that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or affecting the efliciency of the attachment.

As shown in the drawings, 1 construct the body D of a diamond form, having a central or U shaped slot, E, formed therein, ahook, lug, or equivalent projection, F, extending from the body I) downwardly into the slot. The body I) is raised or bulges outward from the attachingflanges a, the latter being provided with a series of openings, (1, to receive screws j in securing the device to the coffin.

A hooked rod, G, projects downwardly from the device 0 and fits around the lower edge of the coffin, so as to afford an additional securing means.

H designates the lowering-rope, constructed of any suitable length, andhaving at its lower end a ring, I, to engage the hook or lug F, a series of ellipticalshaped blocks, J", forming hand-holds, being secured at suitable intervals to the rope and adapted to assist in lowering the coffin. The blocks are secured to the rope by nails or rivets, and are thus prevented from slipping. A loop, K, is attached to or formed with the upper end of the rope, and is to be fitted around the hand of the person lowering the coflin, so that should his hand slip fromthe hand-holds the operator will. still have control of the rope, and thus accidents will be avoided. The upper block or hand-hold, L, is formed conical shape, the end of the rope being secured to said block bya metal cap, 9, asseen.

In Fig. 1 I'have shown the ornamental attachments secured to the ends of the coffin independent of the handle, and in this position the parts will act with equal efiiciency.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modification of the arrangement of the parts, the end of the rope being provided with a book which engages with a loop or ring formed on or attached to the ornamental attachment.

The advantages of my invention are numerous. The devices are simple, durable, and inexpensive.

greeahle accidents which often occur while lowering a coffin into the grave will be avoided, since the coffin may be lowered with ease and without any danger of slipping or dropping the same.

By means of the same the disa- The ornamental device is preferably attached to the coffin while manufacturing the same; but it will be apparent that it may be formed detachable as desired.

. It will also be apparent that my devices may be used in lowering or raising boxes, caskets, and parcels without departing from the invention.

I am aware that it is not new to lower cof fins by means of a rope, the latter being connected to a plate attached to the coffin, and henceI do not claim this construction, broadly; but,

Having described my invention, I claim as new- 1. The combination, with the coffin having the device 0 attached thereto and formed with a dependent hook, of the lowering-rope varranged to be connected to the device, as set forth.

2. As an article of manufacture, the coffins provided with the ornamental devices O, in which the handles are pivoted, for' the purpose set forth.

3. As an article of manufacture, the coffins provided with the ornamental devices 0, consisting of a body having a hook, ring, or lug formed therewith, and a dependent hook, as set forth.

4. A device for lowering or raising coffins, 0 820., consisting of a body having a hook, lug, or ring formed therewith and provided with a dependent hook, in combination with a rope having a ring or hook attached thereto, as set forth. 5

5. A device for raising or lowering coffins, &c., consisting of a raised or bulged body formed with a central U-shaped slot, attaching-flanges, a projecting hook or lug, and a depending hooked rod, as described, in com- 40 bination with the rope, as set forth.

6. A device for lowering or raising coffins, &c., consisting of a raised or bulged body having attaching-flanges, a central U-shaped slot,

a projecting hook or lug, and a depending 5 hooked rod, in combination with the rope having hand-holds at suitable intervals, a ring at one end of the rope, and a loop at the other end, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 50 my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J OHN L. STREEVER.

I'Vi tnesses:

.I. C. RONALDS, JOHN J. I'IELM. 

